ATKINS — A quick look around the 2013 Picklefest activities, and a casual observer may not notice that anything is amiss. Children are riding rides. Games are being played. Pickle juice is being consumed. It’s the same as it’s always been.

But for those who volunteer with People for a Better Atkins (PBA), things will never be the same.

When founding member Johnny (J.L.) Austin passed away on Wednesday at the age 78, he left an unmistakable void.

“He was the one,” PBA volunteer Sherry Reel said. “He was always here, always working. He would work until the last thing was done and then he’d come back and check on everything.”

PBA is a volunteer organization which aims to improve the quality of life for the people of Atkins. They work closely with the schools and host Picklefest every year.

“We run a scholarship program, we donate to schools and all the money we earn at Picklefest goes toward Christmas baskets, which we give away later in the year,” according to David Lindsey, who also volunteers for PBA and was a good friend to Austin.

Christmas baskets are put together to aid families living in Atkins who are in need. The baskets are filled with food, clothes and toys for the kids.

“We gave away 200 baskets last year,” Lindsey said.

Austin earned several nicknames throughout his life. Most people knew him as “J.L.” but he was also dubbed “Loose Jaw,” due to his love of talking and getting to know people.

“He was funny,” Reel said. “He was the emcee at Picklefest every year, and he was always making jokes in between acts.”

“He just loved to entertain,” Lindsey added.

Austin was also a volunteer fireman for 27 years and served Atkins through many organizations. Aside from the PBA, Austin served through youth sports and coaching, the Jaycees, Conglomeration, the Atkins Water Commission and Atkins Housing Authority.

Yet, despite so much going on, friends said he was never too busy to help.

“When something went wrong we’d always say, ‘We can call J.L.,’” Reel said. “But now we can’t. He’ll always be here in spirit, but we already miss him. If I needed something I’d call him and he would always do whatever was needed. He never said no. He was never too busy to help.”

Austin helped at every Picklefest, even after his illness began to take a toll. In 2012, he helped hand out ice.

“He’d be here this year if he hadn’t passed away,” Reel said. “He just wouldn’t give up.”

Austin was buried Saturday in the Atkins City Cemetery while Picklefest activities continued on the other side of town. As family and loved ones bade farewell to the one who inspired them, the fundraiser that Austin helped build continued to give back to the community he served.